The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, announced a significant increase in Iran's production of uranium enriched to 60%, which is alarmingly close to weapons-grade (90%). The news is causing serious concern in Western countries, which believe that such enrichment cannot be justified by any civilian purpose, despite Iran's claims that its nuclear program is peaceful.
According to Grossi, the volume of production of enriched uranium in Iran will increase "by seven to eight times or even more" compared to the previous levels of 5-7 kg per month. Currently, according to the IAEA, Iran already has enough uranium, enriched to 60%, to create up to four nuclear warheads.
"This development is a direct challenge to the international community," Grossi emphasized during a security conference in Manama, the capital of Bahrain.
Iran's decision to increase uranium enrichment came as a surprise to the IAEA. After a visit to Tehran last month, Grossi said Iran was willing to limit its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% to reduce diplomatic tensions. However, as it became known, this move by Iran was conditional: Tehran expected the IAEA Board of Governors to refrain from passing a resolution against it due to insufficient cooperation with the agency. However, the resolution was passed, which probably caused the current escalation.
Western countries have condemned such actions by Iran, stressing that the enrichment of up to 60% exceeds any needs of a civilian nuclear program. This raises fears that Tehran may develop nuclear weapons, although official Tehran continues to deny such intentions.
The strengthening of Iran's nuclear program could complicate negotiations to restore the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), which provided for limits on uranium enrichment to 3.67%. The move also risks raising tensions in the Middle East, where states such as Israel and Saudi Arabia have already expressed concern.
